Apple’s iOS 12.4 Update Leaves iPhones Open To Jailbreaking

It has been reported that iPhone hackers have discovered Apple’s most recent iOS update, 12.4, released in July, accidentally reopened a code-execution vulnerability that was previously patched – a vulnerability that can be abused to jail-break iThings. A security researcher going by the name of Pwn20wnd released a public jailbreak that exploits the reintroduced bug, and marks one of the first free and open jailbreaks for iOS devices in years.

I’d always advise anyone to hold off immediately upgrading until these sort of issues are resolved.

Any iOS user needs to be aware that like any technology, there are potential flaws that leave them open to being exploited. Users should be sensible in their approach: it’s sensible to delay making changes until any new upgrade has had some time to be tested in the real world. Likewise, any new applications on top of an iOS upgrade introduces further risk if the developer of the software cannot be trusted.
I’d always advise anyone to hold off immediately upgrading until these sort of issues are resolved. Ultimately, Apple will fix such issues but hackers will always exploit a weakness if it exists. In this case the problem has reappeared which means the potential to exploit this issue is already known and proven to exist.

Users should install the fix as soon as Apple issues it to protect themselves from this vulnerability.

No company is immune from making mistakes, even Appple especially when the software is so complex as the iPhone. While there is a window of opportunity available until a fix comes out to take advantage of the vulnerabilities, users can be vigilant to protect themselves by validating the apps they are downloading are legitimate and safe. Any attackers will likely try to fool users into downloading malicious versions of software to try an exploit the vulnerability.
Also, as tempting as it may be, unless for research purposes, jailbreaking iPhones can leave them open to many threats - so should not be done.
Users should install the fix as soon as Apple issues it to protect themselves from this vulnerability and not update to version 12.4 if they haven't done so already.